The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has mobilized operations throughout the Caribbean and Mexico to provide relief to communities impacted by Hurricane Beryl.  The Category 5 storm kicked off the hurricane season as it ravaged the Atlantic for a week leaving a trail of destruction in the Atlantic.

On July 1, 2024, Beryl hit Carriacou, Grenada, as a Category 4 storm with life-threatening gusts of 140 mph, demolishing about 90% of the island’s houses. According to local officials, Beryl impacted more than 200,000 people, destroying agriculture, livestock, fishing, and infrastructure in several Caribbean countries including Grenada, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines (SVG) islands.

The hurricane proceeded to pound Jamaica and the Yucatan Peninsula before sweeping ashore as a Category 1 storm over the Gulf Coast of Texas on July 8, producing massive life-threatening flooding and cutting power for millions of people. While disaster management officials assess the situation on the ground, ADRA’s relief operations are underway in countries like Grenada, Jamaica, and Mexico.

ADRA is working closely with the Adventist Church, other faith groups, and local governments to expedite disaster recovery efforts. ADRA is distributing hot meals, food packages, and hygiene supplies in the Caribbean region,” says Elián Giaccarini, ADRA Inter-America Division regional emergency management coordinator. We are also giving cash assistance to affected families and individuals in countries like Mexico, where businesses and grocery stores remain open to help them purchase the essential food and items they need the most. Please continue to pray for these communities as they strive to recover from the disaster.”

Caribbean emergency management officials in the affected islands have opened hundreds of shelters to provide safe refuge to thousands of displaced residents.

ADRA braces for the upcoming hurricane season.  NOAA, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center predicts an above-average hurricane season with 17 to 25 named storms, including 4 to 7  major hurricanes with winds over 111 mph or higher.

Beryl marks the onset of what could be of the most dangerous hurricane seasons on record. ADRA knows our emergency operations will be tested to the maximum,
but we are ready to respond to the humanitarian challenge that lies ahead. We need everyone’s support,” emphasizes Elián Giaccarini, ADRA Inter-America Division regional emergency management coordinator.

This article was provided by ADRA International.